CHAPTER X 

 ORGANIZING THE RURAL COMMUNITY 



THE OBJECT 



THE main object of organizing the rural community is 

 to try to secure the cooperation of all associated effort 

 and individual influence on behalf of a generally ac- 

 cepted plan or program for improving the community 

 at all points. By reason of such cooperative endeavor, 

 should emerge at last a group of people with one mind 

 as to the desirability of working together for one large 

 purpose and in the finest spirit of cooperation. Re- 

 member again that organization is merely the coopera- 

 tion of all the people. It is an assembling of all fac- 

 tors that make for better working and living together. 

 It implies a group of people working as one. The 

 ideal is the most complete possible cooperation of all 

 individuals and all groups in a small natural area, mak- 

 ing their best efforts in the common task of securing 

 the greatest possible improvement in all things that 

 make for the common good. 



THE FIRST STEPS 



There must be some new " machinery " for the pur- 

 pose of this organization, otherwise it is difficult to 

 draw out leadership in community enterprises. But 

 few communities need a new organization. Indeed, 

 what is wanted is not an organization at all in the usual 

 meaning of the word, but rather a clearing house for 



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